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About

Onnuri Kim is a leading researcher at the intersection of bioinspired electronics and soft robotics, with key contributions in stretchable organic electronics, electroactive polymer actuators, and neuromorphic devices. Her most influential work, the 2018 paper on "Stretchable organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse" (516 citations), pioneered the emulation of human sensory and motor functions in a single device, laying the foundation for next-generation electronic prosthetics and neurorobotics. Kim also made seminal advances in soft actuation, developing fast, low-voltage electroactive actuators using nanostructured polymer electrolytes (208 citations) and low-voltage-driven soft actuators (105 citations) that enable efficient, compact motion for soft robots. Her innovative "True Low-Power Self-Locking Soft Actuators" (50 citations) introduced a double-layered light- and electroactive polymer (LEAP) design capable of holding objects without continuous power—a breakthrough for energy-efficient robotics. With over 880 total citations across her top papers, Kim’s work is widely recognized for bridging materials science and device engineering. Her achievements include demonstrating the first sensorimotor synapse and creating actuators that mimic natural plant movements, positioning her as a key figure in the development of lifelike, low-power electronic systems.